I picked this book up because it looked fun; it is, but it is also so much more. Parts of the book are a classic screwball comedy, but the novel is roI picked this book up because it looked fun; it is, but it is also so much more. Parts of the book are a classic screwball comedy, but the novel is rooted in deep emotion. He does something that sounds so cliche: he poetically compares two love affairs, one old and one two, both set in Paris. And yet the book feels fresh and unexpected. Attempts at elegant turns of phrase generally annoy me, and yet I found myself writing down quotes, like "Will was not surprised that his new friend was late. Oliver seemed to possess that sort of joie de vivre that did not lend itself to punctuality."

As a former Michigander, I was surprised that this novel set in Paris turned out to, in many ways, be about Detroit. One of the protagonists is from Detroit, which kept destroying itself. So when he says "It seemed Paris somehow managed to absorb all the beautiful things the rest of the world discarded; it was a sparkling and bejeweled box of lost treasures, a wondrous cabinet that hummed with soft horn harmonies played against a grand piano's minor chords," we are supposed to realize Detroit's jazz is one of its many treasures. If you read between the lines, Will's experiences in France reflect his life in "The Paris of the Midwest."

I took off one star because I never quite understood the plot strand from the witches' songs (I'm not great with poetry). It is a rare book, though, that can make you laugh, but also leaves your heart soft and vulnerable. The two things that got me were (view spoiler)[ Vidot's reflections on his love for his wife, and the passage: He remembered that these imaginary conversations always began the same way, with the same phrase, the words he believed lay at the core of what any human being ever wants to hear from another, what affection is in its primary essence, what the bonds of friendship and family mean above all else. So he placed his hand gently on Bemm's shoulder and, softly, slowly, spoke the phrase, over and over again, as if it were a prayer, "I am so glad you are here.” (hide spoiler)]. Highly recommended.

Surprisingly funny and touching. Kamala Khan is not your typical superhero; she is touchingly young for her age. I think this would be good to give toSurprisingly funny and touching. Kamala Khan is not your typical superhero; she is touchingly young for her age. I think this would be good to give to kids to get them to read. It is accessible, but it also touches on worlds many of them would not imagine. ...more

Remember Heroes? Move it to India and the UK, add some philosophical discussions, and you have turbulence. I enjoyed how the superpowered realized theRemember Heroes? Move it to India and the UK, add some philosophical discussions, and you have turbulence. I enjoyed how the superpowered realized their powers weren't any good for improving the world(view spoiler)[ Except for Andy's power. And they killed him off before his power could be explored. (hide spoiler)]. They were only good for either taking over the world or fighting super villains. Exactly.

I don't think I got a great sense of location, but I did learn some new things about India. I think the reason I did not connect more strongly with the book is because it is written in third person. One of the reasons I prefer books to tv or movies is because it lets you have a peak behind someone's eyes. Without reflection, I find violence boring. Our society already has plenty of it. Ben Aaronovitch excels at combing emotion and action, which is why I picked this book up on his recommendation. That doesn't seem to be Basu's interest. The author does take advantage of his narration choice to deliver a killer final scene.

I was looking for a good graphic novel I could use to get some of the kids I tutor to read. It seems to be a hard partying, queer-friendly DND camp2.5

I was looking for a good graphic novel I could use to get some of the kids I tutor to read. It seems to be a hard partying, queer-friendly DND campaign. I never played, so it was not for me. The Four Daves seemed pretty cool. The language means I can't bring it in for the kids without expecting SERIOUS blowback from any parents who saw it....more

I read this years ago and it stuck in my mind. It was well-written, with beautiful illustrations. Now that I finally own a garden, I have tracked downI read this years ago and it stuck in my mind. It was well-written, with beautiful illustrations. Now that I finally own a garden, I have tracked down a copy of my own. We will see how it influences me now, years later....more

I tore through this book. I don't think it has the same power as the first book, but I think it did a good job of elaborating some of the points in "TI tore through this book. I don't think it has the same power as the first book, but I think it did a good job of elaborating some of the points in "The Last Policeman."

1. Hank's "good" traits all have serious, serious costs, and conscientiousness may not be the most important virtue in the end days.

2. The most important relationships may not be ones that fit easily in boxes.

Take this review with a grain of salt; a publicist would say that I am in a target demographic. The eponymous policeman investigates the death of an aTake this review with a grain of salt; a publicist would say that I am in a target demographic. The eponymous policeman investigates the death of an actuary and tries to understand how the victim looked at the world. There is a motif about what it means to be an older sibling.

This is the only pre-apocalyptic book I have ever read. Most post-apocalyptic books focus on how the disaster changes people; this book explores how the people react to the knowledge of impending doom. There are the expected ways, but Winters also explores how the world's end date could evoke a nostalgia for life that can make moments sweeter.

A friend of mine said that if you realize the question at the heart of the book is "what would you do if you knew you were going to die," then the book is not really about an asteroid. True. As I thought about what I would do if I knew when I was going to die, I realized I would care about taking care of the world that would survive me. An asteroid that renders all your accomplishments void changes how you face death.

We are guided through this doomed place by Henry, who has the amazing ability to accept the future. In spite of it all, he just keeps trucking through this beautifully written, terrible story that celebrates "the perseverance in this world, despite it all, of things done right."...more